Rear End Collision After Changing Lanes

[ddeckys]

My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: Colorado

Hello, just today I was driving on a highway during a busy time of day, with lots of cars out. This was a two lane highway, and I was in the right lane, and the speed limit was 75 mph. The car directly in front of me abruptly slows down quickly. Since I would rather not be stuck in traffic I put my turn signal on and prepared to merge into the passing lane of the left. After completely moving into the left lane, I am slowed down to about ten under the speed limit due to the fact that I had to slow down in case I couldn't merge. Apparently, there was someone in my blind spot that I didn't see, and they rear-ended me, keep in mind that this was after I was all the way in the left lane and my turn signal had turned off. Luckily I didn't slow down so the damage was minimal, it could have been a lot worse at 75 mph. I will admit because of the fact I didn't see him, I did cut him off. After pulling over, we talk to them and decide the damage wasn't major enough to fuss over, and went our own ways.

So my question is that I'm just wondering who was in the wrong in this situation. Also keep in mind that I only have my drivers permit, but I did have my legal guardian in the car and everything was legal. Also, if I were to get in trouble, or if it would have been a bigger issue, what repercussions would that have had on me since I do not yet have my full license?

[Mr. Knowitall]

So if I understand, you hit your brakes as you cut from your lane into another, did not check for traffic, and due to your both cutting off the car you didn't see and suddenly slowing down you caused a rear-end collision? From what you've shared so far I'm not seeing that as anybody's fault but yours.

You can't have it both ways - you told us that you "slowed down to about ten under the speed limit" so it cannot also be true that you "didn't slow down".

[jk]

I'm trying to figure out how you pulled over in front of a person that was obviously going faster than you that was in your blind spot. Most people set their mirrors so their blind spot covers an area that is actually not behind their car but beside them.

and then to be able to get completely in the lane... not understanding how it could happen as you describe.

and if your turn signal turned off automatically, it suggests you turned at a fairly sharp angle. It requires the steering wheel to be turned a certain amount before the self cancelling action would be effective. Generally at 65-75 mph, you aren't going to turn your wheel that much. If you did turn that abruptly, you may have been the cause of the accident.

because of all of those problems with your explanation, I have no idea who is in the wrong. Generally the person in the rear is presumed to be at fault but given your explanation, I haven't a clue.

[ddeckys]

So if I understand, you hit your brakes as you cut from your lane into another, did not check for traffic, and due to your both cutting off the car you didn't see and suddenly slowing down you caused a rear-end collision? From what you've shared so far I'm not seeing that as anybody's fault but yours.

You can't have it both ways - you told us that you "slowed down to about ten under the speed limit" so it cannot also be true that you "didn't slow down".

I slowed down when the person in front of me quickly slowed down, then I changed lanes. What I meant by that was that after I was hit I didn't slam on my breaks, like a lot of un-experianced drivers my age would.

Edit: Clarifying, by completely in the lane I meant that I had completed my merge and was going straight in the lane I was in before the collision. It did not occur as I was turning into the lane.

[jk]

I had completed my merge

there was no merge. That is where multiple lanes become one. You were simply changing lanes. The actions and rules in the two situations are different.

still, your description is not clear and doesn't sound possible, at least to me but it sounds to be more your fault than the other party.

[ddeckys]

there was no merge. That is where multiple lanes become one. You were simply changing lanes. The actions and rules in the two situations are different.

still, your description is not clear and doesn't sound possible, at least to me but it sounds to be more your fault than the other party.

Basically I'm in the right lane, the car in front of me stops quickly, I signal and change to the left lane and am hit from the behind by this driver.

Can I get my permit suspended if I'm ticketed for unsafe lane changes or something related to a crash like that? By the way, like I said, since there was minimal damage to the cars, we both just left without a problem so there is no ticket, but I would like to know for the future.

[PTPD22]

Presuming I am understanding your scenario correctly, it sounds like you committed an unsafe lane change violation and could have been cited for it if the police had responded. Also, you would have been found to be at fault for the accident. I doubt that either being at fault or the violation would cause your permit to be revoked as long as you were complying with the permit requirements...but, I'm not knowledgeable about Colorado driver's permit laws.